Fairing for an expandable bay

Abstract

A fairing (100) for an expandable bay of an has a ramp (108). A front linkage bar (102) has a first end pivotally connected to a finger (106) of the ramp (108) and a second end pivotally connected to the aircraft. A mating panel (112) is next to an interior edge (132) of the ramp (108) and pivotally connected to the ramp (108). An exterior elastomer panel (124) is connected between an exterior edge (126) of the ramp (108) and the aircraft.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A fairing for an expandable bay of an aircraft comprising: a ramp;   a front linkage bar having a first end pivotally connected to a finger of the ramp and a second end pivotally connected to the aircraft;   a mating panel next to an interior edge of the ramp and pivotally connected to the ramp;   an exterior elastomer panel connected between an exterior edge of the ramp and the aircraft; and   an interior elastomer panel connected between the interior edge of the ramp and an adjacent edge of the mating panel.   
     
     
       2. The fairing of claim 1, further including an actuation mechanism pivotally connected to the mating panel. 
     
     
       3. The fairing of claim 1, further including a back linkage bar having a first end pivotally connected to the aircraft and having a second end connected to the ramp. 
     
     
       4. The fairing of claim 3, further including a mating panel linkage bar having a first end pivotally connected to the mating panel and having a second end pivotally connected to the back linkage bar. 
     
     
       5. The fairing of claim 1, wherein the ramp has an exterior surface that is rectangular. 
     
     
       6. The fairing of claim 1, wherein the mating panel has an exterior surface that is triangular. 
     
     
       7. A fairing for an expandable bay of an aircraft, comprising: a ramp;   a front linkage bar having a first end pivotally connected to the ramp and a second end pivotally connected to the aircraft;   a mating panel pivotally connected to the ramp; and   a reinforced elastomer system connected between a skin of the aircraft and an exterior surface of the ramp and between the exterior surface of the ramp and an exterior surface of the mating panel.   
     
     
       8. The fairing of claim 7, further including an actuation mechanism pivotally connected to the mating panel. 
     
     
       9. The fairing of claim 7, further including a back linkage bar having a first end connected to a chest of the ramp and having a second end pivotally connected to the aircraft. 
     
     
       10. The fairing of claim 9, further including a mating panel linkage bar having a first end pivotally connected to the mating panel and having a second end pivotally connected to the back linkage bar. 
     
     
       11. A fairing actuation mechanism for an expandable bay of an aircraft, comprising: a mating panel;   a ramp having a finger pivotally connected to the mating panel;   a back linkage bar having a first end pivotally connected to the aircraft and a second end pivotally connected to the ramp; and   a mating panel linkage mechanism having a first end pivotally connected to the mating panel and a second end pivotally connected to the back linkage bar.   
     
     
       12. The fairing actuation mechanism of claim 11, further including a linear actuator pivotally connected at a first end to the aircraft and a second end pivotally connected to the mating panel. 
     
     
       13. The fairing actuation mechanism of claim 11, further including a front linkage bar having a first end pivotally connected to the aircraft and have a second end connected to the ramp.